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Summerset
• S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 •
Scene
CROQUET CRAZE MALLET MASTERY • WASTE TO WAIST WACKY AND WONDERFUL
LIFELONG LOVE 75TH ANNIVERSARY • ECO-FRIENDLY GREENER FESTIVE FUN
PARTY PLEASERS TASTY SUMMER FARE
COVER Hobsonville resident and croquet coach Julie Parry is teaching the village how to swing
a mallet. Read the story on page 14. P H OTO Kate Chastukhina.
Whangarei
Warkworth
Parnell
Milldale St Johns
Hobsonville Half Moon Bay
Ellerslie
Manukau
Karaka
Katikati
Papamoa Beach
Rototuna
More than
6,000
Hamilton
Cambridge
Taupo
Bell Block
New Plymouth Napier
Summerset
New Zealanders call
Te Awa
home
Whanganui Hastings
Levin Havelock North
Waikanae Palmerston North
Paraparaumu
Trentham
Nelson
Lower Hutt
Richmond Aotea
Blenheim Kenepuru
Avonhead
Rangiora KEY
Wigram Casebrook = Summerset village
Prebbleton
= Planned village
Dunedin
Hello from Sara
It’s been a challenging year
for most of us, that’s for sure.
But rather than dwell on
the bad bits, I like to focus
on the positives.
For me, one of the plus sides of traditional anniversary gift for that to spending my summer break
2020 has been meeting many of many years of married life. Read relaxing, reading, exploring
you! I’ve loved chatting with you their sweet story on page 10. some holiday spots close to
on the phone, via Zoom or home, and enjoying time with
Over in Nelson, Summerset in the
(when travel rules allowed) in family and friends.
Sun’s annual Waste to Waist
person at various villages
wearable arts show truly was a And when it comes to the
around the country.
feast for the eyes. Take a look at Christmas celebrations, I firmly
This year, the magazine has some of the incredible outfits on believe it’s a time for treating
included tales of travel adventures, display on page 4. I had the yourself – so crack open the
creative pursuits, fitness honour of going along as a judge, bubbly, tuck into the trifle, and
discoveries, historical happenings and choosing the winners was no indulge in whatever festive fare
and plenty of heart-warming easy task! takes your fancy. This year in
community spirit. I want to say a particular, I think we’ve earned it!
If you’re more into sports than
big thank you to everyone who has Turn to page 30 for some party
sartorial splendour, turn to page
shared their stories with me. Thank platter ideas.
14 to read about the croquet
you also to all the loyal readers
craze taking over at Summerset Have a wonderful Christmas and
who have pored over the pages of
at Monterey Park in Hobsonville. a sunny summer break. Here’s to
each issue.
A group of enthusiastic a brighter 2021!
Speaking of heart-warming, you’ll beginners have been honing their
love reading about Jack and mallet-swinging skills, and the
Maureen Monaghan from village croquet lawn is looking
Paraparaumu, who celebrated like the place to be this summer.
their 75th wedding anniversary
I’m not exactly the sporting type
recently. It’s a rare thing to have
myself, (coordination just isn’t Sara Bunny
spent so many years together – so
my forte!), so I’m looking forward SUMMERSET SCENE EDITOR
unusual, in fact, that there’s no
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 1
Contents
10 75th wedding anniversary
A special celebration
14 Croquet
Mallets at the ready
4
Waste to Waist
Strike a pose
18 19 20 21
News Jude On News Let’s talk about
The joy of The recipe for a Aged Care awards Brain health
giving great Christmas & Julian’s change
of scene
2 Summerset Scene | Summer Issue
Story to share? This publication uses vegetable based inks and
environmentally responsible paper produced from
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed
We really enjoy telling your stories. If you have an Source pulp from Responsible Sources.
exciting or interesting tale to tell, get in touch with us.
We’d love to hear from you! Paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free
magazine@summerset.co.nz 021 948 754 (ECF) and manufactured under the strict ISO14001
Environmental Management System.
22 23 24
News News Village people
New neighbours Sharing ideas Russell France
26 28 29
Staff profile Five questions Exercise
Linda Postma Brian Crothers Summer’s golden rules
30 34 37
Delicious recipes Gardening Style
Party pleasers Pots of tomatoes Made in the shade
38 40 42
Craft corner Book reviews Go Greener
Christmas ornaments Summer reads Fun festive ideas
44 46 48
Travel log Brain tease Pets of Summerset
Taupō Puzzles Neighbourhood trio
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 3
Strike a
pose
Whether they’re made from feathers and
flowers, bread bags and beads, or loo paper
and lace, all creations weird and wonderful
are part of the fun at Summerset in the Sun’s
annual Waste to Waist wearable art show.
4 Summerset Scene | Summer Issue
A selection of the wearable arts outfits on show.
Gwytha France has always been arty, and
these days, she loves nothing more than
“I love how everybody
inspiring others to let their creative side shine. takes their skills and
As the main organiser for Waste to Waist, one
of Summerset in the Sun’s most anticipated
uses them in their
events, Gwytha’s used to keeping multiple unique way. Some
plates spinning. From encouraging a shy
model to take to the catwalk, to contacting people like to work on
local businesses to donate spot prizes,
crafting signs and backdrops, and sorting out
an outfit with a friend; it
last-minute costume calamities, Gwytha loves brings people together”.
every minute of it.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 5
L E T’S H E A R I T FO R
this year’s winners!
1 st 2 nd 3 rd
‘BLUE ‘BLOOMS
‘PACKAGING
LOO-GOON’ OF SUMMER’
REVISITED’
Designed and Designed and made
Designed and made
made by Yvonne by Gwytha France,
by Joan Kundycki,
Cooke, modelled by modelled by Dulcie
modelled by Helen
Jocelyn Burke. McArthur.
Bruce.
Highly
commended
‘FLIGHT
OF WHITE’
Designed, made
and modelled ‘ASTERIA,
by Patricia GODDESS OF
Behrens. STARS’
Designed, made and
modelled by Vivienne
Chandler.
6 Summerset Scene | Summer Issue
“I just like making
people happy –
that’s what spurs
me on.”
GWYTHA FRANCE
“It’s always a fun night – we don’t record 21 entries. Wild and
want it to be too serious,” Gwytha wonderful creations on the
says, laughing. “I love how catwalk included a theatrical
everybody takes their skills and butterfly, a couple of whimsical
uses them in their unique way. witches, elaborate toilet paper
Some people like to work on an gowns, an energetic fairy
outfit with a friend; it brings festooned with the lids of peanut
people together.” butter jars, and a futuristic get-up
made entirely from empty pill
With the help of a trusted team
packets.
of organisers and husband
Russell, she’s been bringing the “You have to get in early to
Waste to Waist show to life for prompt people to start thinking
the past seven years. Every year, about it,” says Gwytha. “Some of
more entrants come on board the materials take a while to
and the costumes have been collect – like loads of toilet rolls,
getting increasingly elaborate for instance. We’re often
with each event. collecting things for one another
to use, and you just potter away
This year’s show was held in
on ideas as the mood takes you.”
mid-October and attracted a
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 7
Gwytha’s hobby of painting china Proceeds from ticket sales always
helped to give her an eye for go back to the village and the
mixing colours, while her local community. This year,
involvement with the Sumner money collected was used to
Theatre, when the couple lived in purchase a metal seagull
Christchurch, sparked her sculpture, made by artists at
interest in costume design. Forest Fusion in Mapua, which is
now on display
But when it comes
to the Waste to “I know that outside the
reception area.
Waist show, it’s not
just about getting
people get a lot The remaining
of pleasure
funds were
the creative juices
donated to the
flowing. The
broader ideas of from making Nelson
Marlborough
recycling and being
kinder to the
their outfits, Rescue
and everyone
Helicopter Trust
environment are just
and St John.
as important as the
costume creations, enjoys seeing all Before long, it
and this year’s event
also included an ‘op
the creations.” will be time to
start planning
shop challenge’ to the next event,
emphasise the possibilities of but Gwytha’s always up for the
recycled clothing. challenge.
“Sustainability is really at the fore “I love being able to bring
these days,” says Gwytha. “That’s pleasure to people,” she says. “I
why the op shop challenge was know that people get a lot of
important. We went around all the pleasure from making their
op shops in town and they were outfits, and everyone enjoys
delighted to be involved, and it’s seeing all the creations.”
nice to support local businesses.”
8 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueJust some of the fun and fabulous creations on show!
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 9A special
celebration
A chance meeting at a country dance turned into a lifelong love story for
Summerset on the Coast couple Jack and Maureen Monaghan, who recently
celebrated 75 years of happy marriage.
According to the tradition, it’s gold for a choice of dance partner with the other
50th wedding anniversary and diamond girls. But after the pair started chatting,
for a 60th, but the list doesn’t stretch they only had eyes for each other.
anywhere near 75 years.
Another meeting followed, but as the
“That must mean you get to choose for Second World War was raging, Jack was
yourself,” laughs Maureen, “and I think back at sea all too soon. On his return to
‘double diamond’ sounds good!” England a few months later, he met
Maureen’s parents and passed the test
It was at a dance at Maureen’s home
with flying colours.
town in Yorkshire, England, that
24-year-old Royal New Zealand Navy When it came to the idea of Jack
man Jack spotted 18-year-old Maureen heading back to New Zealand and
across the dance floor. Maureen set to follow, her parents had a
rule – the pair had to be married. “They
“I thought, ‘She’s lovely’,” remembers
said they wouldn’t allow me to come all
Jack. “I always thought she was the cat’s
the way to New Zealand without
pyjamas, and I haven’t changed my mind
knowing what was going to happen,”
in 75 years!”
says Maureen, now 94. “They had to
Maureen remembers how Jack, with his make sure that I at least had a wedding
blonde hair and blue eyes, was a popular ring!
10 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueSummerset Scene | Summer Issue 11
In 1946, Maureen
stepped off
the ship to her
new home in
New Zealand.
“The wedding in Yorkshire was a small
gathering, and I had a gown I borrowed from a
She says arriving
friend,” Maureen remembers. “We had a ‘bread
and butter tea’, which due to war rationing
in a new country
meant a few sandwiches, and we had a
honeymoon in Blackpool of all places, as it was
on the other
easy to get to on the train.”
After 20 happy years living in Invercargill, near
side of the globe Jack’s hometown of Mataura, the pair shifted to
Christchurch and then on to Wellington
was scary, to say following the Christchurch earthquakes.
“You end up getting so involved with your kids
the least, but and all sorts of things, that the years just fly
by,” says Jack, who went on to become an
Jack’s family amateur wrestler and even represented New
Zealand at several international competitions.
welcomed his The couple had four children, and they now
new bride with
have seven grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren. Family photos and paintings
open arms.
made by a talented grandchild line the walls of
their villa.
12 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueThe couple say that while life has its ups and
downs for everyone, it certainly helps to have a “She’s a treasure.
partner you get on well with.
“Patience is really important for a happy
Not only can she
marriage,” says Maureen. “And a sense of
humour – you absolutely must have a sense of
fix anything –
humour. For us, having our faith is also really
important; that’s what brought us through the
her dad was an
difficult times.”
engineer and
I’m sure she’s
“Maureen and I always just clicked,” says Jack,
now 99. “She’s a treasure. Not only can she fix
inherited those
anything – her dad was an engineer and I’m
sure she’s inherited those traits – she also
traits – she also
makes the most beautiful porridge for
breakfast!”
While the couple are still bemused by all the
fuss over their 75-year milestone, the rarity of
makes the
the situation is starting to sink in. “Everyone
was getting so excited about this anniversary,
most beautiful
and I couldn’t understand why,” says Maureen.
“Everyone says to me, ‘How could you be
porridge for
married for 75 years?!’ I’m beginning to believe
that it’s quite an achievement!”
breakfast!”
A painting of the couple created by a clever grandchild (centre), and special anniversary
cards from the Queen and the New Zealand Governor-General, Dame Patsy Reddy.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 13MALLETS
AT T H E
READY
Hobsonville village is in the
grip of a croquet craze! With a
resident expert on hand to coach
beginners and a new lawn in the
making, it’s shaping up to be the
perfect summer sport.
When Auckland croquet coach and referee Julie
Parry offered to teach fellow residents how to
swing a mallet, she hoped that perhaps half a
dozen people might join in. But when 50 residents
turned up to the croquet lawn, she knew she was
on to something.
“I was so surprised and delighted by the
response,” says Julie, who has lived at Summerset
at Monterey Park for two and a half years.
14 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueWhen Julie retired and was looking for a new
hobby, she spotted a croquet club down the road
from her former home in Orewa, on Auckland’s
“It was a bit tricky to start
North Shore. A group of experienced players took with, but now we have
her under their wing and showed her the ropes,
and she was hooked. As numbers started to pick spread it out across three
up and the croquet club was stretched for
days a week to cater for
resources, Julie put her hand up to help. She
became a referee and coach, and also did a stint the numbers.”
as the club president.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 15“Over the years, I refereed around Auckland
with the New Zealand champs and club
events,” she says. “There’s actually a lot of
hoops you have to jump through – no pun
intended – to be a coach or a referee; it’s all
very serious and proper and formal. I’ve been
doing it for about 12 years now.”
Julie has coached everyone, from golfers
looking for something different, to people who
have never seen a croquet mallet or played
sport in their lives. With a bit of perseverance
and practice, she says anyone can learn.
“When we started at the village, we had thin
little garden hoops on the lawn. I acquired
some proper croquet hoops, which are strong
metal and are actually smaller than the thin
ones you often see. There was a bit of drama to
begin with – everyone said, ‘We can’t use
those!’ But I was bossy and said, ‘There’s no
point in doing this game if you’re not going to
do it the right way.’ You can tell I used to be a
school teacher!”
These days, everyone’s used to the smaller
hoops, and Julie’s painted the correct colour
order on the fence to ensure each game flows
smoothly and everyone remembers their ball
colour. Croquet might be a game that’s known
for its tricky tactics, but even at championship
level, Julie’s never witnessed any bad
behaviour.
“It’s certainly a game where you take no
prisoners! You can hit other people’s balls out
of the way, but everyone is quite friendly. In my
time as a referee, I’ve never struck anyone “It’s certainly a
who’s been really nasty. But if they are, as a
referee I can remove them from play, which I’ve game where you
always thought is quite hilarious!” take no prisoners!
With the help of a few residents who are handy
with hammers, the former creamery of Clark
You can hit other
Cottage (a historic cottage on the village site) people’s balls out
has been transformed into a croquet
equipment shed. And after spying a piece of of the way, but
unused land that looked like the perfect spot
everyone is quite
for croquet, Julie has been working with a team
of enthusiastic helpers to get the new village friendly.”
16 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueCroquet
quick facts:
There are two official
forms of the game:
association croquet
and golf croquet.
Association croquet
is the original old-
fashioned game,
while golf croquet is a
modern, faster version
and by far the most
common form today.
Famous croquet fans
include Winston
Churchill, who is said
to have had his own
style of swinging the
mallet one-handed like
a polo stick, and Pippa
Middleton (Duchess
Kate’s younger sister),
who says a game of
croquet is a Middleton
lawn organised in time for summer. Despite family tradition and
some bumps in the road, work is now well best enjoyed with a
under way, and there are plenty of croquet fans glass of Pimm’s.
who are looking forward to swinging their
mallet on the pristine new patch once the grass
is ready. Croquet is alive
“Hopefully, we can have a garden party or a and well across the
special opening gathering once it’s all generations, with
finished,” Julie says. “From the lawn you look the top New Zealand
down onto the water, and if you look the other players all in their
way you have a view of the historic cottage. It’s early 20s.
just really beautiful and we’re so fortunate.”
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 17OUR
NEWS
giving
T H E J OY O F
Villages around the country have been supporting a range of brilliant
charities recently, and the photos below are just a few of the many
fundraising initiatives Summerset residents are involved with. A big
thank you to everyone for your kindness and generosity!
A B
C D
Descriptions C Summerset Mountain View held a ‘Tulip
Cream High Tea’ for Parkinson’s New Zealand. The
A Residents from Summerset on Cavendish put
delicious treats were created by Divine Café, and
on their favourite pink outfits for a Breast Cancer
the village raised $142.
Walk to raise awareness.
D Summerset at Bishopscourt in Dunedin raised a
B Summerset in the Bay hit their fundraising goal
stellar $6000 for Child Cancer Otago. The village
and collected just over $1500 for the Child Cancer
held two market days to collect donations, and the
Foundation.
hardworking village craft group also sold knitted
teddies and cloth face masks to bump up the total.
18 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueJUDE ON
T H E R EC I PE
FO R A G R E AT
C H R I ST MA S
This time a year ago, 2020 sounded so promising. It even had futuristic ring to it. Little did we know,
huh? Well, the less said about 2020, the better really. It’s been a tough time, which is all the more
reason to make sure we have a wonderful Christmas this year. I reckon a good Christmas has five key
elements to make it sing.
1. A decent tree 3. Spoil the kids 5. Family and friends
Whatever the size of your tree, There’s much delight in seeing It’s the reason for the season!
be it a minute one popped in a a small person at Christmas This, of all years, is reason to
corner or something reaching receive in a new toy, T-shirt or appreciate the people in your
the ceiling in the hallway, trinket – it’s about the kids, life you know and love, and
decorate it well – it’s the after all. Feed them early with they you. Enjoy time with
signpost of Christmas. If there child-friendly food, so both them, tell them what you
are children in your life, make the adults and the children appreciate about them, and
tree decorating their event. can relax and enjoy reminisce about the good
themselves. Find a good times you’ve shared together.
2. Cut down on the Christmas movie, too! If you have the capacity to
adult prezzies reach out to others who don’t
4. Make the food have family and friends in the
Pop the names of all the adult
family members in a hat, then
simple same way you do, invite them
each pull one out and keep it Share the load – nobody to be part of your day. Our
secret. Agree on a dollar expects the person hosting best Christmas Days over the
spending limit. Let everyone Christmas to cook everything. years have been those spent
know what you’re after, and This year I’ve even decided to with ‘waifs and strays’ –
secret Santa will ensure you go with a food-delivery people who were on their own
have one lovely, wanted gift service and their recipes, for whatever reason, or simply
under the tree. which will arrive at my door didn’t have the opportunity to
on 22 December. I can’t even spend time with others. It’s all
tell you what’s in it! Having about people. Connecting
said that, I always make a with others is just plain good
Christmas pudding with for the soul.
brandy sauce using my mum’s From my family to yours, have
recipe. a lovely Christmas.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 19J U L I A N ’S
CH A N G E
OF S CE N E
Summerset Chief Executive Julian Cook has
recently announced that he’s stepping down
from his role. Julian has been at Summerset
AWA R D for 10 years, and says it’s the people he’s
met along the way that have made the job so
special.
WINNERS “Heading out to our villages is one of the
best parts of my job. I enjoy talking to our
residents, hearing what they like, don’t like,
and what their experiences are.”
We’re thrilled to have won the New Zealand Summerset has grown a lot during Julian’s
Aged Care Association’s award for best decade in the top job, with the number of
training and staff development programme! residents increasing from 1700 to more than
6,000, and construction about to start on the
Our nationwide training programme for first Summerset village in Australia.
diversional and recreational therapists picked
“I am so proud of what we deliver to
up the top prize at the awards night in late
residents, staff, and our communities, and
November.
I will greatly miss everyone at Summerset,”
Programme Lead for diversional and Julian says. “It’s been an amazing ride and I
recreational therapists, Orquidea Tamayo wish everyone the very best for the future.”
Mortera, says she is absolutely delighted to
Current Deputy Chief Executive and Chief
have won.
Financial Officer, Scott Scoullar, will move
“The new training programme has helped into the Chief Executive role in late March
to increase the professional skills of our 2021. We’ll have more on Scott in the March
Summerset diversional and recreational issue of Summerset Scene.
therapists. This gives them the means to
improve the quality of life for our care residents.
We have really grown as a team this year and I’m
so proud of what we’ve achieved together.” Julian has been
The Excellence in Care Awards are held at Summerset
annually to recognise the best in care from for 10 years
across New Zealand.
Programme Lead for diversional and recreational
therapists, Orquidea Tamayo Mortera (standing) with
Summerset Clinical Improvement Manager Anna
Carey (left) and Summerset Down the Lane Village
Manager Joanna Smith at the awards evening.
20 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueL E T ’S TA L K A B O U T
B R A I N H E A LT H
Silence is golden. Or is it? What is the impact of untreated
Our brain is truly amazing. It controls every hearing loss?
function in our body, including our ability to hear, • Difficulty with communication
process and interpret the sounds around us. So
• Loneliness and isolation
how important is the connection between hearing
and brain function? • Poorer relationships with partners,
family, friends and healthcare teams
As one of our five senses, hearing is surprisingly
complex. Not only does it help us know what is • Reduction in well-being
going on around us, but more importantly it is also • Anxiety and depression
fundamental to the way we communicate. Therefore,
• Increased risk of falling
the impact of hearing loss can have a profound
effect on the overall quality of our health and lives. • Cognitive decline, which may lead to
dementia.
Our ears are the organ responsible
for recognising sound, but what What should you do if you’re
isn’t always obvious is that our concerned about hearing loss?
brain processes and interprets that
Regardless of which comes first, we know
sound. It’s vital that both our brain
there is a relationship between hearing
and ears work together for hearing.
and cognition, so it’s important to act
Experts already know there is a link between hearing now and do something about your
loss and cognitive decline, and researchers continue hearing.
to work hard on determining which comes first. Do
Don’t ignore symptoms of hearing loss. If
changes in the brain disrupt the processes of
you’re struggling to hear in a social
hearing, or does hearing loss cut us off from the
situation, if you’re turning the radio or TV
stimulation around us, resulting in cognitive
up louder, or if you’re asking people to
decline?
repeat themselves, it’s time to book an
One of the theories is that when someone is appointment with an audiologist. As
affected by hearing loss, there is a decreased level hearing is one of the biggest modifiable
of input to the brain, so less processing occurs as risks for dementia, have it tested as soon
the person retreats into a silent world. If this isn’t as you notice a problem – don’t leave it
addressed, it can lead to cognitive deficits. untreated.
Age-related hearing loss is a relatively normal If you are already experiencing some
occurrence, but it means that people must work cognitive decline, addressing your
harder to follow conversations. It can hinder hearing may help. Ask family members or
communication and socialising, and lead to further carers to provide assistance managing
difficulty in understanding speech. hearing aids if you need extra help.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 21NEW
NEIGHBOURS
The first residents have started moving into
their new homes at Summerset Palms in Te
Awa, Napier, and Summerset by the Dunes,
Papamoa Beach. The new neighbours (and
Survey
their furry friends) have been enjoying
settling in and getting to know each other.
results
“It feels more spacious than I had expected,
and the team have been very good to work
are in
with,” says Sue Smith from Summerset Palms.
“One of the things I am looking forward to is
not having to do any maintenance, plus the
chance to meet new friends.”
A big thank you to everyone who took part A very warm welcome to everyone.
in the 2020 Residents’ Satisfaction Survey.
Heather and Frank Hosegood (photo 1) and Sue Smith
We received a whopping 3,790 resident
(photo 2) have just moved in at Summerset Palms, and
survey responses, and your feedback helps
Summerset by the Dunes recently hosted a get-together
us to continue to bring the best of life to
for new residents and village staff (photo 3).
every resident.
The 2020 survey found that village overall
satisfaction is 95.1%, and care centre overall 1 2
satisfaction is sitting at 97.1%: This is a great
result!
We also ran a competition between the villages
to find out who could gather the most online
responses. Summerset on the Landing in
Kenepuru led the way with 78% of survey
responses completed online, followed by
Summerset at Heritage Park with 53%.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed,
presentations are now underway to go over the 3
results at each village.
95.1%
Village overall
97.1%
Care centre overall
satisfaction satisfaction
22 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueFO RU M
FO R
S HARI N G
I D E AS
The conference included special guest
speakers from a wide range of health fields.
Our first National Diversional and
Recreational Therapy Forum was
a great success! Diversional
therapists, recreational therapists
and activities coordinators
gathered at Summerset at
Heritage Park in Ellerslie,
Auckland, for the two-day event.
The audience heard presentations from a
host of speakers including Sir Richard
Faull, Director of the Centre for Brain
Research at the University of Auckland,
and Ngaire Kerse, Professor of Population
Health at the University of Auckland and
Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well, and
Summmerset therapists from around the
enjoyed sharing knowledge and ideas.
country enjoyed a rare chance to get together.
Summerset Chief Executive Julian Cook
also attended and acknowledged the
valuable work of Summerset’s fantastic
diversional and recreational therapists “Diversional and recreational
and activities coordinators.
therapists are the soul of
care, they provide people
with purpose”
D R N GA I R E K E RS E
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 23Village BY RUSSELL FRANCE.
people
We’re chatting with residents about
their favourite places, and for Russell
France, the garage is a treasure trove of
tools, materials, and photo memories.
We moved into Summerset in the Sun,
Nelson, from Christchurch in 2012 and
we love it here. We are very fortunate to
have a villa with a double garage –
excellent for pottering and making
models.
I have an engineering background, and
served an apprenticeship as an
engineer’s pattern maker, making moulds
in wood for metal castings. These days,
patterns are all produced on computer.
During my career I designed and made
bakery equipment, ovens and furnaces.
Later, I had experience with fibreglass
moulding while working at (Christchurch
engineering company) Cresta Craft.
Then, while I was running an engineering
business, I was fortunate to be able to
take over the manufacture of France Jets.
Over the years I have made many boats,
including a mould for an 8ft (2.5m)
dinghy cast in polyethylene plastic. After
using our dinghy and selling a few, the
moulds were sold to Australia, where the
dinghy won a safety award.
My interests turned to making car bodies,
and in the 1970s, I made a sports car
body that fitted onto either a Morris
Minor or Triumph Herald chassis. I
bought a model of a Burago Mercedes
500k Roadster, as I loved the classic lines
of the car, and decided that was going to
be my retirement project.
24 Summerset Scene | Summer Issue“These days, I’m involved
with the Tahuna Modellers
Club, and I often make the
scenery for events here at
the village.”
The car had to be made in MDF wood and
shaped perfectly, and from there a fibreglass
mould could be made. I also made the patterns
for tail lights, hub caps, and windscreen pillars.
This 500k body fitted really well onto a Holden
Ute chassis, including all the running gear like
a back-axle diff and suspension. The floor plan
and firewall, steering wheel and pedal box had
to be moved back, and the motor and gearbox
put in the front.
All up, I made three of the 500k replicas,
before the moulds were sold to Australia. One
of them lives in Auckland, one in Whangaehu
(near Masterton) and one in Christchurch. I
really enjoyed making those cars, and I still
love the fantastic lines of the vehicle.
These days, I’m involved with the Tahuna
Modellers Club, and I often make the scenery
for events here at the village. One of my
projects was making models of Cresta Craft
boats for my niece, who is writing a book on
the history of Cresta Craft.
I’ve recently made models of the Team New
Zealand AC75 yachts being used for the 2021
America’s Cup, and a model of Nelson’s new
Coastguard boat, which is being made by a
local manufacturer.
It’s quite busy, but I couldn’t be happier. The
area is great for walks and bike rides, we also
go dancing, and the camaraderie at the village
is superb!
Photos of cars Russell has built, (including one
now housed in a castle) line the walls of his garage.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 25S TA F F P R O F I L E
Linda Postma BY SARA BUNNY
As a well-known member of Summerset’s sales team, Linda Postma has enjoyed welcoming
many Summerset residents into their new homes. Now, she’s packing her bags to embark on
a different adventure, as State (Victoria) Sales Manager for Summerset Australia.
When Linda first heard about a new Summerset Her first role was as Sales Manager at Trentham
village being planned for Australia, her ears village, then when an opportunity came up as
pricked up straight away. Being at the forefront Regional Sales Manager, she grabbed it with
of this brand-new project sounded right up her both hands. She says that out of the many
alley, and the chance to be involved in helping things she loves about her job, it’s the people
to develop Summerset’s first Australian village she’s met along the way and the strong
was an opportunity too good to pass up. company values that stand out the most.
“I’m really excited about this new chapter in my “I love visiting our villages, keeping an eye on
Summerset adventure,” Linda says. “I’m looking our show homes, talking sales strategy with the
forward to doing the groundwork and going sales managers and chatting with residents,”
back to making sales again from the new show she says. “It’s so nice that residents remember
suite that’s being built on the Australian site. your name and come up to you to share how
And how cool is it to be part of that very first much they enjoy their new lifestyle and how
group of people who have kicked off this proud they are of their home.
project?!”
“I remember one particular couple I worked
While relocating to a different country would be with; they lived in our Trentham village and
daunting for many, Linda’s not only taking it in wanted to transfer to Wigram to be closer to
her stride – she’s also drawing from experience. their children. Almost every time when I’m
visiting Wigram I bump into the husband and
“I grew up in the Netherlands, where I started
we always have a catch-up and a hug, or, since
my career as a kindergarten teacher. I then
Covid, an elbow bump.”
became a regional manager for daycare
centres and eventually owned my own business In a challenging sales manager role, juggling a
for a few years before leaving for New Zealand. hectic schedule can be tricky, and Linda knows
So the way I see it, after emigrating halfway she’ll be just as busy once she steps onto
across the world and getting used to the Kiwi Aussie soil in early 2021. But she’s buzzing
accent, this little jump across the ditch should about the big move, and says that being part of
be a piece of cake!” an organisation that she believes in is what
keeps her motivated and energised.
With her diverse career background (which also
includes a stint at building company Jennian “I think what I enjoy most about working at
Homes), coupled with a go-getter attitude, Summerset is that we live and breathe our
Linda started at Summerset about five years values, and that we truly have our residents at
ago and hasn’t looked back since. the heart of everything we do.”
26 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueL I N D A’ S E X C I T E D T O B E P A R T O F T H E T E A M AT S U M M E R S E T ’ S FIRST AUSTRALIAN VILLAGE .
FIVE
QUESTIONS
B R I A N C R O T H E R S , O S TJ ( O F F I C E R
OF THE ORDER OF ST JOHN),
FROM SUMMERSET ON SUMMERHILL
Brian has lived at Summerset for about two
years. Here, he chats about career twists and
turns, his stress-free outlook on life, and always
finishing everything on his plate.
What was your first job? ambulance driver work and set grandparents to always eat what
up the Health Shuttle you’re given and finish what’s on
My first holiday job was working
programme in the Manawatu. I your plate.
as an orderly at Palmerston
tried to retire twice, but they
North hospital. I loved it What advice would you give to
kept getting me back! On the
because, as I worked on the your 21-year-old self?
third time I really did retire, and
main corridor, I was involved in
eventually came to Summerset. I would say to just enjoy life. I
going out in the ambulances.
I really enjoy living here. also think you have to get a job
This eventually led to a job with
that suits you, as a lot of us
St John, and I’m still on the area Describe your outlook on life
spend so much time at work, so
committee here. I’ve been
I’m a very calm person – nothing it’s no use having a job you
involved with St John for about
flusters me. Difficult things don’t enjoy.
34 years.
happen to everyone in life; days
What’s your favourite part of
But before joining St John I was come and days go. I think it’s
New Zealand?
a teacher, and I met my wife at important to enjoy the moment,
teacher training college. We and take things as they come Palmerston North really feels
eventually owned dairies, then along. like home for me. I’ve moved
worked with distributing frozen around quite a bit and it’s the
What’s your favourite meal?
food for many years. At one only place I’ve lived for any
point we had about five frozen I love all types of seafood. My length of time. I know a lot of
food trucks, and we were the wife used to joke and say it’s not people in town and I’ve met
New Zealand distributor for big only seafood but more like ‘see some great people from all
brands like Edgell and New food’ and eat it! I do love my different walks of life. It’s a really
American ice cream. After food; I eat anything and always nice community here.
starting back at St John I did have. I was taught by my
28 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueARTICLE BY DAN HARDIE
EXERCISE
Summer’s
golden rules
for exercise
As the weather warms up, many of
us also change our exercise habits
– mostly for the better!
In the summer months, the wide range of different Ditch the couch after meals
sports and outdoor activities on offer means there
Following a meal, it can be tempting to sit down
are plenty of options for getting moving – and
and allow it to digest. However, taking a small,
there’s nothing like a warm, sunny day to boost
gentle walk after eating is often a more effective
the feel-good factor.
way to help food break down, and it can also lead
These key tips will help you ease into your chosen to a better uptake of nutrients.
activity and get the most out of what you choose.
Get advice from a pro
Start slowly and progress gently
If you’re learning a new skill or picking up an old
If you’re playing golf, tennis or any sport you one, a few one-on-one or group lessons can
haven’t participated in for a while, give your body radically accelerate your progress. If it can be
time to learn how to move in the angles and learned, there is a coach for it somewhere.
different speeds that are required.
Head somewhere new
Get your feet on the ground
Lastly, given that we’re all going to be spending
Some call it ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’, while others our summer in Aotearoa, I’ll leave you with this:
call it being a ‘barefoot bandit’, but whatever you
Go somewhere you’ve never been,
call it, it just means not wearing shoes! Sinking
To see something you’ve never seen,
your feet into beach sand and spreading your toes
Look around your own backyard (New Zealand) –
in grass are great ways to reconnect with nature.
There is always plenty of green.
While it might sound a bit hippy, it’s an effective
trick to reduce stress and boost your mood.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 29DELICIOUS
RECIPES
PARTY P L E A S E R S
R E C I P E S BY JA N B I LTO N
IT’S TIME FOR SOME FESTIVE GATHERINGS WITH YOUR SUMMERSET
FRIENDS. AND PROVIDING CELEBRATION FOODS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE
STRESSFUL OR TIME-CONSUMING – YOU JUST NEED TO PLAN AHEAD.
Many party nibbles can be prepared in metal, ceramic or Pyrex loaf pan. The
advance, including the cured salmon, terrine is a super standby for
pork and pistachio terrine, and unexpected callers, either as a meal or
assortment of sweet treats that follow. with drinks.
Here are some guidelines for these
Dessert share platter Have a selection
dishes.
of sweet treats in your fridge or freezer
Beetroot cured salmon This might look ready to arrange on a platter to share.
daunting but it takes just a few minutes Add some berries and some purchased
to prepare. Remove any pin bones from goodies such as macarons and fudge or
the salmon using tweezers. Use coarse Christmas cake (cut it into small
salt similar to that in a salt grinder. The squares) if you wish. Commercial
skin can be removed after curing. gluten-free pastry is available from your
supermarket freezer for the Christmas
Pork and pistachio terrine The cooking
mince tarts. Alternatively, use short
time will depend on whether you use a
pastry.
30 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueBEETROOT
CURED SALMON
SERVES 6–8 AS NIBBLES
INGREDIENTS METHOD
Cure Combine the cure ingredients in a food processor or
¼ cup brown sugar blender. Mix until fairly fine.
⅓ cup (75g) coarse sea salt Pull out a length of cling film, leaving it attached to the
roll. Spread 3–4 tablespoons of the cure in the centre.
½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries
Place the salmon on top, skin-side down. Spoon the
1 raw beetroot, peeled and
remaining cure on top. Roll the salmon tightly in more
chopped (110g)
cling film to make a package
3 juniper berries
Place the salmon parcel on a shallow tray. Place another
pinch white pepper tray on top and weigh it down with cans of food.
2 tablespoons gin or lemon juice Refrigerate for two days, turning the package occasionally.
Salmon Remove the salmon and scrape off the cure. Rinse carefully
400–500g salmon fillet, pin and pat dry. Sprinkle with the dill. The cured salmon can be
bones removed covered and refrigerated for up to three days.
Coating Thinly slice and serve with crostini, crackers and/or rye
bread, plus tartare sauce, lemon wedges, capers and
1 bunch dill, finely chopped
pickles.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 31PORK & PISTACHIO
TERRINE
SERVES 8–10
INGREDIENTS METHOD
Seasoning Preheat the oven to 160°C.
1 small onion, finely diced Sauté the onion, garlic and dried herbs in the oil on a low heat until
1 clove garlic, crushed softened. Add the pistachio nuts and brandy. Season with salt and
pepper. Cool.
1 teaspoon mixed dried herbs
Mix into the minced pork and chicken in a bowl. Season and adjust
½ teaspoon dried oregano
if necessary (check by frying a little of the mixture until cooked,
1 tablespoon olive oil then taste).
¼ cup shelled pistachio nuts, roughly Brush a 21 × 12cm loaf pan with oil. If you like, place herbs such
chopped as bay leaves on the base. Line the base and sides of the pan with
the bacon, letting the ends overhang the edges. Pat half the meat
2 tablespoons brandy
mixture evenly into the pan. Lay the prunes down the centre,
Meat overlapping a little. Add the remaining meat. Bring the bacon ends
500g each of pork mince and over the top of the meat.
chicken mince
Top with a piece of baking paper, then cover tightly with foil. Place
herbs (optional) in a small roasting pan and fill this to halfway with hot water. Bake
for 1½–2 hours until the mixture feels firm.
250g streaky bacon
Weigh the terrine down using cans of food. Refrigerate overnight or
6–8 pitted prunes, halved lengthwise
for up to two days. Turn out onto a board. Serve sliced with crusty
bread, chutney and pickles.
32 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueDESSERT
SHARE PLATTER
MINI MERINGUES GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE-COATED PRUNES
M A K ES A BO UT 80 MINCE TARTS M A K ES 1 5
INGREDIENTS M A K ES 24
INGREDIENTS
2 egg whites INGREDIENTS 15 pitted prunes
¾ cup sugar 400g gluten-free pastry 75g chocolate, melted
METHOD 150g gluten-free classic fruit METHOD
mince
Preheat the oven to 120°C. Line Use tweezers to dip the prunes
a baking tray with baking paper. METHOD into the chocolate. Allow excess
Beat the egg whites, preferably Preheat the oven to 190°C. Lightly chocolate to drip off before
with an electric beater, until grease two 12-hole mini muffin pans. placing the prunes on foil and
lightly frothy. Gradually add the leaving them to set in the fridge.
Roll the pastry out between two
sugar, beating continuously until Refrigerate for up to a month in a
sheets of baking paper until 3mm
the mixture is thick and glossy covered container.
thick. Using a 5–6cm-diameter
(about 5–7 minutes).
biscuit cutter, stamp out 24 discs.
Pipe or drop meringue blobs The trimmings can be rerolled and
the size of 10-cent pieces onto reused. Gently press the discs into
the tray. Bake for one hour until the muffin holes.
firm. Turn off the heat and cool
Spoon the fruit mince into the
in the oven. Store in an airtight
unbaked shells. Bake for 15 minutes,
container for up to a month.
until the pastry is light brown. Cool
Serve sandwiched together with
on a wire rack. Store in an airtight
cream or use as garnishes.
container in the fridge or freezer
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 33A RT I C L E BY LY N DA H A L L I N A N
IN THE
GARDEN
Pots of
tomatoes
You say tomato... Lynda Hallinan says it’s
not too late to squeeze a few compact cherry
varieties into containers for summer salads.
Remember when home-grown strawberries
What do strawberries, peaches were smaller but tasted so sweet that most
and tomatoes have in common? mysteriously disappeared in the Bermuda
Triangle between garden, kitchen and pudding
Aside from being staple crops bowl? My father built an unwieldy wooden-
framed chicken-wire cage over my mother’s
in Kiwi summer gardens, all are strawberry patch, ostensibly to beat the birds,
routinely accused of “not tasting but also to keep my big sister and me from
filching the fruit as it ripened. Although we
like they used to”, with modern squabbled over most things as kids, come
store-bought fruit bred for shelf- summer we could set aside our sibling rivalry
to steal strawberries with sisterly stealth. One
life and saleability at the expense of us would heft the lid up for just long enough
for the other to snake in an arm and quickly
of lip-smacking satisfaction. nab any red fruit within reach.
34 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueAnd who doesn’t remember stopping at a rural roadside
stall selling summer harvests of fat, fuzzy, ‘Golden
Queen’, or blood-red ‘Black Boy’ peaches, or the sticky
residue their juice left all over the car upholstery as you
scoffed them greedily? My mother would buy ‘Golden
Queens’ by the crate to bottle and, if my sister and I were
lucky, and the peaches were perfectly ripe, we’d get to
eat the squishy ones at the bottom of the box. (If we
weren’t lucky, we had to content ourselves with chewing
the flesh off stones Mum expertly extracted with her
vintage peach pitter.)
As for tomatoes? Mum and Dad grew ‘Russian Reds’ and
meaty beefsteaks, the latter so big that a single slice
would hang out all four sides of a sandwich. A sandwich
made from buttered white bread, of course, with a grind
of salt and pepper and, if we were out camping or
fishing, a thick smear of canned corned beef. It was
hardly haute cuisine, but thinking of it still makes my
mouth water.
My parents never grew cherry tomatoes. I’m so
accustomed to popping in a ‘Sweet 100’ or potting up a
‘Tumbling Tom’ each summer that I didn’t realise cherry
varieties have become popular only in my lifetime.
Although small-fruited tomatoes were grown in Israel,
Italy and Greece, where sandy coastal soils keep them
naturally stunted, they’ve been specifically bred to be
small only since the 1970s.
According to the online Smithsonian magazine, “While
the cherry tomato has been around in one way or another
for centuries, its commercialisation and popularisation is
thanks to Marks & Spencer.” The British grocery chain saw
a future in gourmet crops and worked with Israeli food
scientists to develop a new, shelf-stable cherry variety
that would be sweeter than traditional toms.
British tomato breeder Bernard Sparkes is credited as
being the father of the modern cherry tomato, as he
selected a clone called ’Gardener’s Delight’, which, 40
years on, is now considered an heirloom in its own right.
’Gardener’s Delight’ is still available in the Kings Seeds
catalogue, but it has been superseded by dozens of other
delectable varieties in all sorts of shapes, from pointy to
pear, and colours. Try ‘Topsy Tom’ or ‘Tumbling Tom’ in
hanging baskets or yellow cocktail varieties such as ‘Gold
Berries’, ‘Birdie Canary’ and ‘Gold Nugget’. ‘Bumble Bee’
is a cutie with skins streaked in orange and yellow, while
‘Indigo Pear Drops’ develops black-and-yellow skins like a
Hurricanes rugby jersey.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 35A few years ago I developed a nasty allergy to need to give your plants a deep drink most
tomato foliage so I’ve steered clear of planting days. Once they are flowering, feed with
them for a few seasons, but this year I couldn’t diluted tomato fertiliser once a week, and
resist sowing ‘Grape Sweet Hearts’, which has mulch the surface of the pot to keep the roots
long, flat-nosed fruit like little saveloy cool. Underplant with basil seedlings, as basil
sausages, and the hybrid ‘Rapunzel’, which lets is a renowned companion for tomatoes in both
down her long tresses (or should I say trusses), the garden and the kitchen.
producing trailing strands with as many as 50
The beauty of growing tomatoes in pots is that,
fruit each. It’s a showstopper on a garden arch
at the end of the golden weather, you can
or trellis.
shuffle them into a sunny, sheltered spot to eke
It’s too late to sow tomatoes from seed, but it’s out an extra few weeks of fruiting on a veranda,
not too late to plant them in patio tubs, as porch or covered patio.
garden centres will still have sturdy plants, often
Like all fruit, tomatoes taste best when left to
already smothered in baby fruit. Look out for
fully ripen on the plant. Once picked, keep
individual plants of ‘Tutti-Frutti Cherry’, ‘Pillar’,
them out of the fridge to keep them sweet. And
‘Sweet Sturdy’ and ‘Ponchi’ in the Enrich With
if your home-grown tomatoes don’t live up to
Nature range. I grew Ponchi in a metal baby
your nostalgic expectations, don’t fret. Give
bath a couple of years ago and it produced
them a salty swim. Researchers at Rutgers
hundreds of fruit on a 30cm-high bush.
University in the United States found that
You can buy specialist tomato potting mix, but tomatoes given a one-time drench with 1.5
any good-quality potting soil will do the trick. litres of salty seawater (or 4 teaspoons of salt
Plant in the largest (preferably plastic) pot you dissolved in the same volume of water) tasted
can physically handle and sit it on a deep better and also ripened up to 15 per cent faster.
saucer. Even when using potting mix that
includes water-retention crystals, you’ll still
SEASONAL CHECKLIST
Protect tomatoes, Sow zinnias, asters and
stonefruit and berry crops dwarf sunflowers for late
from birds. Plastic netting summer colour.
is the most effective
solution, even if it’s not
particularly attractive.
Sow rocket, coriander,
radishes and mesclun
Feed strawberries to salad mixes in semi-shade.
encourage a secondary Respite from the hottest
flush of fruit. Remove the afternoon sun slows down
runners or peg them down their tendency to bolt to
to root for new plants. seed.
36 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueARTICLE BY LUCY CORRY
STYLE
Made in
the shade
Look ahead to a bright future in a pair of sunglasses that bring out the best in your features.
Legendary German fashion Luckily, modern sunglasses The glamorous cat’s-eye is
designer Karl Lagerfeld, best come in just about every style, made for you, while browline
known for his work at Chanel, shape and colour imaginable (where the section at the top of
was rarely seen without a pair of – and at every price point. You the lenses is thicker to
heavy black sunglasses. don’t necessarily have to spend emphasise the natural brows)
Lagerfeld, who worked until he a lot of money on a pair, but you and square shapes will also look
was 85, had strong views on the do need to make sure they have great.
power of good shades. 100% UV protection to screen
Oval Lucky ovals have the
“Sunglasses are like eye out harmful ultraviolet rays. It’s
biggest choice of frames, as
shadow,” he once said. “They also good to make sure they suit
they suit the greatest variety of
make everything look younger your face shape. Here’s a handy
shapes. Keep everything in
and pretty.” guide.
proportion though – don’t
Even if looking younger and HOW TO CHOOSE THE choose frames that swamp your
prettier isn’t high on your list of RIGHT SHAPE FOR face. Aviator, round, square,
priorities, there’s no denying YOUR FACE browline – the choice is yours.
that good sunglasses are
If you take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ Square Wide cheekbones,
important for eye protection
approach to choosing broad foreheads and strong
and comfort. The first
sunglasses, you might want to jawlines can be softened by
sunglasses, which prehistoric
think again (taking a look at old rounder shapes and rimless
Inuit people carved from walrus
photos of yourself can be quite frames. Opt for aviator, round
ivory, were designed to protect
revelatory!). If you want to look and browline frames.
the wearers from snow
your best, do a bit of homework
blindness. While various Round Angular and oversized
first to work out what frames
eyeshades appear in historical shapes add some structure to
will complement your features
records dating back to the faces that are wider in the
and face shape.
mid-1700s, mass-produced middle than at the forehead and
sunglasses became available in Heart-shaped If you have a jaw. Look for aviator, square and
1929. heart-shaped face, choose cat’s-eye shapes. Sports-style
frames that are wider across the frames also work well.
top than they are at the bottom.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 37ARTICLE BY MELISSA WASTNEY
CRAFT
CORNER
Peace
and love
at Christmas
I’ve included the stitch patterns you will work
Preparing for summer often on the paper template drawings for each piece,
means thinking about Christmas and below I describe how to do them.
Obviously, you can use any colours or
too. But these peace dove and embroidery stitches you like. These ornaments
are backed with pieces of cotton or silk fabric,
love heart ornaments don’t have but you could use felt on both sides if you
to be reserved for the festive sea- prefer. I wanted a delicate look for mine, so I
used ordinary sewing thread and worked tiny
son: they look lovely hanging in blanket stitches around the edge. If you don’t
your room at any time of the year. want to embroider them, they look just as nice
unadorned – or you could sew on beads or
You could choose to make them sequins instead.
from felt of any colour, or even fill Put on your favourite festive album, make a cup
of tea and enjoy some Christmas crafting!
them with dried lavender to keep
in your drawer or wardrobe.
38 Summerset Scene | Summer IssueSupplies Construction
Felt fabric in charcoal, 1. Trace the templates given on this page to make a
white and red pattern for the bird or heart.
Embroidery floss in white 2. For each ornament, cut out two matching shapes
and charcoal (stranded
from felt.
DMC thread is good)
Paper scissors, pencil,
3. To work the embroidery, use straight stitch and
fabric scissors, chain stitch. Separate a length of floss so you are
hand-sewing needle working with only two strands. Using the template as
a guide, take each felt shape and work the straight
Small amount of stitches first, then the chain stitches.
stuffing
4. Using blanket stitch, sew the front and back
Narrow ribbon, cut into ornament pieces together, beginning at the point
25cm lengths where one of the asterisks is placed on the template
and finishing at the other. Pull the stitches quite taut.
When you get to the top of the ornament, poke the
ribbon loop between the front and back, and attach it
with small running stitches. Resume with blanket
stitch once you have passed the ribbon loop.
5. Stuff the ornament through the gap. Don’t overstuff
it – you don’t want it to be too firm or chunky. For best
results, pull the stuffing apart into wispy pieces
before pushing it inside, as this way it won’t clump
together. Sew up the gap with blanket stitch.
Summerset Scene | Summer Issue 39You can also read
